Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1887-12-08
POULTRY ON THE FARM.
How to Make Hens Profitable at An Sea-
sons of the Year.

POULTRY ON HE fAHM.
How to Make Hens Profitable at An Sea-
sons of tho Year.
Although where farming is carried
on upon large scale poultry-keeping
receives little or no attention, and Is
considered of little or no account, the
case is different upon small farms and
where mixed farming is INDUCED in.
While there are those that firmly be-
lieve that the damage done to growing
crops. and especially the garden, by
fowls at large, more than balances all
the benefits to be derived from them.
there is avast majority of farmers who
believe to the contrary. Farmers are
not expected to be poulty fanciers and
to exercise the care necessary to pre-
serve the poultry of any special breed
of fowls that they may have. In fact.
with many the fowls are allowed their
freedom. which renders them fully as
profitable.
In looking over the records of figures
of cost of keeping of fowls it is found
that there is a very close uniformity so
far as expenses are concerned, although
the net profits depend upon the skill
exercised in the care. Upon an aver
agei it costs about one dollar each to
keep hens through the season. and the
real profit of poultry-keeping must
therefore come from what can be real
lied above the cost of feed, etc.
The income from p oultry is derived
from one or two sources. or from both
combined-eggs and broilers.
In the first place, to be successful in
poultry raising. requires that the fowls
should be well kept; this is essential
for the production of eggs.
Although the hens may be provided
by nature with the germ of the egg.
it is left for the keeper to provide to
some extent for its perfect develop
ment-
Hens should not be kept too fat if
eggs are desired, for it is a condition
unfavorable to that end, and so largely
fattening food should not be given un-
to considerable extent. This applies
more largely to hens that are confined
or during winter. If hens run atlaree
they get all the exercise that is needed,
and they seldom get too fat. The feed
in summer is of much less Importance
than in winter. Bugs and insects. the
seeds of weeds and grasses, and such
substances as they can secure during
the summer, affords all the variety
that is desirable, but in winter the
case becomes different. and at this
season is when the greater attention
should be shown.
In the first place protection is a
necessity in winter; unless hens can
be reasonably protected. little need
be expected or hoped for from them.
Their quarters should be reasonably
warm, light and dry. B y reasonably
warm is meant that they should be
so protected as not to suffer from the
extremes of weather either moisture
or cold. 1t is much easier keeping
fowls under such conditions than
when exposed.
The house should be we'll supplied
with comfortable perches. under
which is to be strewn Island or road
dust to avoid an unpleasant degree of
filth. and for the more successful saw
ing of the manure.
Give great variety to the feed; let it
comprise all kinds of grains, and
scraps from the table; pounded shells.
bone and lime should also be pro-
vided
By way of variety give an occa-
sional feed of scalded meal OF boiled
potatoes mixed with meal, to which
may be added little pepper or ginger
as condime1it.
Chop apples. cabbage. green pota-
toes, turnips and onions for an oc-
casional feed, and for the health of
the fowls they may have little sui
phur mixed with the feed of meal or
mashed potatoes. Provision for the
sand bath should not be omitted, but
dry sand. earth and ashes should be
at hand and SO placed as to be ac-
cessible at all times; a little sulphur
mixed with this will tend to keep off
vermin.
If possible, hens should have more
than one apartment; one for their
perches and places for laying where
they can get away from the rest or the
flock. and one where they are to be fed
and receive their exercise. This lat
ter should be provided with sawdust
and leaves. so that there will be ample
opportunity for scratching, and if the
layer of leaves is reasonably thick and
grain is strewn among them, it will re-
quire some labor to secure it If hens
receive attention as indicated 'above,
they will usually furnish liberal sup
ply of eggs at a season of year when
they are in greater demand, and con-
sequently of greater value. A small
collection of poultry should go long
way towards supplying groceries for
an average family. Vim. III Yeonsa,ss,
in ~ T. O5serrer.
just how the use of tobacco was